Hearts are broken after a high school student died as a result of being attacked by a group of classmates. Amy Joyner-Francis, 16, was known by friends and classmates to often be a mediator and peacekeeper.

Joyner-Francis was attacked by a group of girls in a Howard High School of Technology bathroom in Wilmington, Delaware on Thursday morning, according to ABC. Some claim the altercation started over a boy, but an investigation is still ongoing and no charges have been filed. 

“I thought schools were a safe place. I think this is a dream and I’m trying to wake up,” said Joyner-Francis’ father, Sonny Francis to FOX News. “All I know is my daughter is gone. She was the love of my life and it hurts. There was an altercation that initially started between two people, and my understanding is that additional individuals joined in against the one person.”

Classes at Howard resumed on Friday, with grief counselors on staff. A vigil was held Friday night where friends and family released 16 baby blue balloons in honor of their fallen classmate.

“My baby is gone, and it hurts me to the core cause I never expected that I had to be up here saying rest in peace to one of my friends,” said close friend Andrea Wisher.

Multiple people have pointed out the irony and ultimate ineffectiveness of the school’s anti-bullying campaign, that works to prevent these kinds of events from happening.

“The anti-bullying thing that schools put on, they don’t really listen to ’em,” said 9th grade student Julia Scott. “It honestly has to take something tragic like this to happen for them to actually open up their eyes.”

Photo Courtesy: Family Photo